The United States Allows Beef Imports from Paraguay

Trade Update • April 4, 2023

he Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is proposing a rule to allow the importation of fresh beef from Paraguay. Under the proposed rule, fresh beef from Paraguay would be subject to the same import conditions applicable to fresh beef and ovine meat from Uruguay (other than bone-in ovine meat imported) and fresh beef from the exporting regions of Argentina and Brazil.

Import Risks of Fresh Beef

Trade in fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Paraguay was previously not allowed because APHIS had considered Paraguay to be a country affected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In response to a request from the Government of Paraguay to allow fresh (chilled or frozen) beef to be imported into the United States from that country, APHIS conducted a risk analysis that concluded that the overall risk associated with importing fresh beef from Paraguay is low and that Paraguay has the infrastructure and emergency response capabilities needed to effectively report, contain, and eradicate FMD in the event of an outbreak and to do so in a timely manner.

APHIS has further concluded that Paraguay is able to comply with U.S. import restrictions on the specific products from affected areas. Based on the evidence documented in the risk analysis, fresh (chilled or frozen) beef can be safely imported from Paraguay, provided certain conditions are met.

Have Your Say

Comments on this proposed rule are due no later than May 26, 2023.

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. Enter APHIS-2018-0007 in the Search Field. Select the Documents tab, then select the Comment button in the list of documents.
• Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2018-0007, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

Questions about this proposed new rule and if your products are affected? We are always here to help, contact us.